Not November in Australia

On Friday, the last day of October, the snows began. By mid afternoon several centimetres had settled on the roads in the village, causing havoc with the traffic.

Saturday arrived with a white blanket across the valley. Too much to resis,t we (a gang of 6) skinned and hiked out into a 35kph head wind to ski Signature Hill. Visibility was limited and wind-chill was –26C but the ski it was worth every step and so we turned back around and went back up to do a different line and then to lunch at Eagle’s Nest. I would estimate about 20cms had fallen above Crackenback in the preceding 24 hours and had covered all bit a few patches of the brown dust affected snow pack.

After lunch some one (not moi) had the idea to ski to Dead Horse Gap. A kind offer was made to meet us with transport and off we headed back into that head wind. The run out to Saturday Peak was relatively easy and the run down the main ridge was enjoyable but the last two kilometres were a hard slog with only 5cm of snow on grass, dirt and burnt wood.

Not to be outdone we were back out on the Kosciuszko Express this morning – 'hair of the dog' or may be just because it was the last day the quad chair was open before 2 weeks of closure for maintenance. The weather switched intermittently between sunshine and blizzard all day long. The wind had dropped to around 20kph and was from the south and the snow was dry and at least 10cms deeper than yesterday. There were wind drifts up to a metre high where only grass existed 2 days ago. We had some good runs from heights easily skinned to.

By the end of the day I could see fresh tracks down both the Supertrail and High Noon. It seems such a pity that the resort is closed and that you have to download on the chair (unless of course you are prepared to walk out to DHG).

Signature Hill – Saturday morning

Marion heading towards Dead Horse Gap – Saturday afternoon

Sally doing the same

Mare and newborn Foal at Dead Horse Gap

2 snow-mobiles abandoned to the snows at the top of Crackenback – Sunday morning

Fresh tracks off Signature Hill - after yesterday’s tracks were covered overnight

Ice sculptures – see the head on top and the dolls below?

Marion on the way up - love those Fritschi bindings

Freshies on High Noon

Freshies on the upper Supertrail

A great weekend of all conditions, weather and snow and the temperature remained minus all weekend.

Fine, warm weather is forecast for the next few days. With the hike up and down from Snow Gums chair (open for tourists whilst the Kosi quad is under maintenance) there will be much more aerobic exercise and less skiing on offer.